Over 90% of world inhaling bad air: WHO

It “is enough to make all of us extremely concerned,” Maria Neira, head, WHO’s department of public health and environment, told reporters. 

Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board officials said there is no need to panic. The pollution levels in the city are being monitored constantly, said an official from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. When asked about the WHO report, he said, “We have been monitoring 28 places and whenever we find an increase over 60 micrograms of PM10 per cubic metre of air annually, we reach out to transport department and the Corporation for action plans. We don’t know the base measurement for this study, but even pollens contribute to the particulate matter. Even vehicular movement contributes to pollution levels.” 

However, the impact of air pollution on health is huge, said Dr K Thiruppathi, consultant pulmonologist. “Air pollution is a major risk factor though we cannot attribute an exact measure. The impact varies from respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis and even lung cancer. There is also an increased risk of infection due to decreased immunity as a result of it,” he added.